Late push guides Durham past Jacksonville

Durham, N.C. — Bulls RF Miles Mastrobuoni collected three hits, while C Rene Pinto smashed a three-run shot as Durham (58-48) took down the International League leading Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (59-47) 8-4 in their six-game series opener on Tuesday night.

Jacksonville would strike first in the opening frame as LF Brian Anderson went yard on a solo shot. Durham would respond in the bottom half as Pinto tattooed a three-run blast for the 3-1 lead. In the third, Jumbo Shrimp DH Willians Astudillo homered on a solo shot to trim the deficit to one. The Bulls would again respond, as 1B Jim Haley lined an RBI triple to extend the lead back to two. Jacksonville would not go away as Anderson notched his second solo bomb of the contest to cut the lead to 4-3.

After the Jumbo Shrimp tied the game in the seventh, the Bulls would retake the lead in the eighth, scoring two runs on an error to go up 6-4. Mastrobuoni then extended the lead to three with an RBI single before scoring on 3B Jonathan Aranda’s RBI single to round out the four-run frame.

Bulls pitcher Tommy Romero earned his sixth win of the season after a perfect inning of relief, while Jacksonville reliever Will Stewart suffered the loss. Durham righty Javy Guerra continued his strong run with a scoreless ninth frame, and has not allowed a run over his last nine appearances dating back to July 22, allowing just one hit in that span.

The Bulls are set to continue their six-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm. RHP Cody Mincey is expected to start for Jacksonville, while Durham’s starter has not yet been announced.